Conversion of Mallow sugar factory into a bio-ethanol plant under threat

ONE of the biggest threats to the Mallow sugar factory being converted into an ethanol production plant is the fact that it is much cheaper to produce ethanol from wheat rather than sugar beet, officials from the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources have indicated.

Minutes from a meeting held between the Department of the Environment, Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) earlier this year show that department officials have raised this point with those interested in offering an alternative to North Cork’s sugar beet farmers.

Last month, Cork County Council advertised for a consultant to examine the feasibility of the bio-ethanol production at the former Mallow Sugar Factory.